Paracord uses for survival, prepping, camping, and hiking

Ways to use your survival paracord

A quick guide for survival when you need them most

The paracord has become an important survival tool in the growing world of survivalists. The various uses for paracord are unlimited depending on the need and our imagination. It’s important to pack light when hiking or camping, so having a paracord makes sense. It is lightweight, strong and takes up much less pace than rope. If needed, it can act as the heavier rope when combined with braiding techniques. Use the cobra stitch or other series of knots with a paracord to create one extremely strong rope out of several strands of paracord.

TIP JAR Options. Thank you for supporting Independent Journalism

Below are some of the best survival paracord uses. Near the end of this article are some of the more popular knots.

Rescue Line

In the case of a water or quicksand drowning scenario, time is of the essence. A water rescue may become necessary while fishing, crossing a river, or walking on thin ice. Even quicksand can be completely undetectable until it is too late.

To keep yourself or others safe, here is a paracord rescue line technique to help keep rescuers far enough away from the danger yourself and provide the necessary leverage to pull a victim to safety.

How To:

Tie a figure eight knot in your paracord, steady your stance and toss the line towards the victim.

If the victim is in moving water, try tying an object to something that floats such as a log, cooler lid, or lifejacket. This will also give you some weight, helping the line get out to your victim.

Always throw the line 1-2 meters upstream of a person in moving water to ensure they can reach the line. *For added strength, braid or double/triple up on the cord.

Monkey Fist

A monkey fist is a worthwhile self-defense weapon, just as pepper spray, a pocket knife, spear or gun is. They are easy to stash (pocket, purse, pack, etc.) because they are simple large knots tied around a hard object attached too the end of the knotted length of rope or paracord.

Emergency Uses For Paracord (NL)

All that is needed is a paracord, a round object of desired size, and something sharp to cut the paracord.

Begin by wrapping the cord around two fingers loosely with your fingers spread out creating empty space between the cords. Do this four times then change directions.

Then wrap it another four times going the opposite direction creating an ‘X.’ Make sure to keep the dead space within that X and your two fingers. Once you have done this, insert the round object (rock, large marble, etc).

Wrap the marble four more times going the only direction around the marble you have not gone. But now you wrap between the fingers going around the marble instead of around your fingers like before.

Complete the final step of covering the object before you begin to SLOWLY tighten the cord. You should have an even amount of wraps from all angles. Continue tightening the cord evenly until you can no longer tighten it. Use the excess cord to attach your monkey fist to your predetermined object. This will take patience and possibly multiple attempts. Remember practice makes perfect.

Here’s a full video tutorial on how to make a giant monkey fist using a pool ball.

Fishing

Fishing Line:

Remove the inner threads of the paracord. Tie the ends of the threads together using a bend knot to create your desired length. Use a stick and source a soda can tab for a hook or fish hook from your bug out supply.

Trotline:

A trotline may increase the odds of catching more fish over time and doesn’t require your full attention. Using the same method as creating the fishing line, complete by tying small drop lines, ‘trots,’ with hooks attached a few feet apart. Tie the line to two points over the water.

Fish Stinger:

If your luck enough to catch many fish, use a stinger line to keep them alive in the water while you continue to bring more fish in. Depending on the amount of paracord available, you may want to use the outer sheath of the paracord instead of the entire cord. Tie one end of the sheath to a rock, then make a slip knot through the first fishes gills then for the rest, just slide them on stopping when they hit the first fish.

Fishing Net:

An efficient tool for increasing odds of catching fish, a net helps scoop fish and before they shake and escape the line. Cut your paracord the length you want your net to be, about 5-15 feet works well. Separate the inner strands from the outer sheath. Place the outer sheath horizontally and the inner threads vertically. Attach them to the corners, where the sheath and the inner threads meet.

Tie the inner strands to the sheath on both side, 2 inches apart. Do the same thing same thing in the opposite direction. This time, create a quick knot every time you overlap another strand until you are finished.

Trail Markers

Increase your odds of of returning back safely to your campsite by using small strips of paracord and tie them to branches at eye level. This will help you retrace your steps and return to safety. You can then use these smaller bits of paracord for zipper pulls or as tinder for fire starting.

Shoelaces or Drawstrings

Simply remove your broken lace or drawstring and measure the length of your paracord. Use a lighter to melt the ends to prevent fraying. Replace paracord as shoelaces or drawstring.

Tripwire

Use the inner threads of your paracord to protect yourself from nature’s elements, including harmful predators (animal or human). A tripwire can give you some time to protect yourself while the intruder is temporarily disoriented. The inner threads are strong but more difficult to see than the exterior color of the paracord’s outer casing. Just tie the threads tightly between two trees at shin height. It’s important to locate them in a place you anticipate an intruder would travel through. If there are no trees in the general area, use stakes, spike or event large rock (boulders).

Other uses

Paracords can be use for slings, splints, and suturing. They have been used in place of tourniquets, stretchers, and even handcuff restraints. Hunters have used them to hold up game or food, for snare traps, or constructing makeshift snowshoes. Use your knowledge and imagination to cross creeks, build a shelter, or hang a hammock.

.

Useful Knots

Figure Eight

Tie an “8” in the paracord. To do this, make a loop over your anchor such as a tree, carabineer, or another piece of paracord. Then wrap the tail of the cord under the anchor then back through the first loop. Pull it tight.

Clove Hitch

Wrap one end of the paracord all the way around the object until secured. Allow the cord to crossover itself the second time and thread the working end under the last wrap around.

Slipknot

Make a loop in the paracord crossing the cord under itself, creating a loop. Reach your hand through the loop and pull the paracord partially back through the loop. Then pull on the loop you just pulled through and the ends of the cord in opposite directions.

Cobra Knot

Make a loop with the paracord and tie an overhand knot. Tie a half knot around the looped paracord and tighten. Repeat.